RCGP Safeguarding toolkit
The aim of this toolkit is to enhance the safeguarding knowledge and skills that GPs already have to enable them to continue to effectively safeguard children and young people, as well as adults at risk of harm.
Part 2A: Identification of abuse and neglect
Children who may be invisible to services
Practitioners should be aware that there are children who are invisible to many services but who may present to general practice for healthcare needs. These can include:
- children who are home-schooled
- 16 and 17 year old young people not in education, training or employment
- unaccompanied asylum seeking children
- children in secure hospitals, prisons or children’s homes.
If a practitioner becomes aware that a child is not in school, training or employment, this should be noted clearly on their record.
References
- Children’s Commissioner for England report 2020. Hundreds of vulnerable ‘invisible children’ in England are being locked away without any legal protection. 2020.